Method for controlling the status of an internal memory (buffer) and control device for same

Abstract

A method and device are provided for controlling the status of an internal memory of a recorder for data carriers for compensating for differences in speed between a data processing / transmitting device and the recorder. At least in the working phase of the recorder, the time is measured, the number of issued record commands is counted, and between checks and / or after a check of the status of the internal memory, an actual status is determined after a predetermined or predeterminable time or time intervals since the last check, recording speed, amount of internal memory, and number of record commands issued.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001] The present invention relates to methods for controlling the status of an internal memory (buffer) of a recorder for data carriers for compensating for differences in speed between a data-processing / transmitt- ing device and the recorder, and furthermore relates to devices for controlling the status of an internal memory (buffer) for a recorder for data carriers for compensating for differences in speed between a data-processing / transmitting device and the recorder.[0002] In known software programs for inscribing data carriers, a query command is sent after each record command, after every second record command, or after every third record command. This query command determines the amount of internal memory in use. The result is either provided to the user or is used to control the recorder. The query command takes a few milliseconds, depending on the interface. It can happen that the query takes too much time and the writing process therefore suffe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] This means that the status of the internal memory is read out less frequently, substantially reducing the risk of a buffer underrun occurring.

[0018] The inventive solutions can furthermore be employed in recorders that have methods for avoiding the buffer underrun (for instance, "Burn-Proof", "Just Link"). Although no buffer underrun occurs during these methods, when the data in the internal memory drop below a threshold, the recording process is stopped for a few seconds, increasing the total recording time.

[0028] In accordance with further developments of the present invention, the status of the internal memory is read out at regular time intervals, whereby the newly read-out value X is used, as the amount of internal memory of the recorder in use, for a new reference value. This makes it possible to provide a continuous and substantially more accurate status to the user.

[0029] The effect of this continuous approximation to the actual status of the internal memory is that the command for reading out the internal memory is called up less frequently and yet knowledge about the status of the internal memory is better. The load on the interfaces is reduced due to fewer commands for determining the status of the internal memory, and the recorder can transmit more record commands more rapidly while fewer buffer underruns occur.

Problems solved by technology

It can happen that the query takes too much time and the writing process therefore suffers an error so that there is a so-called buffer underrun.

The internal memory (buffer) of the recorder is empty, the recorder cannot continue with its task due to a lack of data and must interrupt the inscription of the data carrier.